Being a man knowing what he knows, seeing what he's seen, and repressing it day after day-takes a mental toll on him. His community of Shady Hill seemed to be in a timeless location, untouched by the horrors of the war. It was almost as if they did know and they put on this charade of life in order to not acknowledge it. But this facade was starting to send Mr.Weed into a rebellion. His days as perfect husband, perfect father, and perfect neighbor were slowly sending him into a frenzy and any light of change at all would send him leaping towards it.
             Francis Weed's wife was a dutiful wife and a caring mother. Yet Mrs.Weed had emotional problems as well, which have yet to be defined. However her fears of being socially inept left her waiting by the mailbox daily for invitations to parties and social gatherings. It was always on her mind just exactly how well her family was liked, how easily her children fit in, and how perfectly she was perceived. "She went through the morning mail with real anxiety, looking for invitations, and she usually found some, but she was insatiable, and if she had gone out seven nights a week, it would not have cured her a reflective look-the look of someone who hears distant music-for she would always suppose that there was always a more brilliant party somewhere else." (Cheever 27) It wasn't enough that the town of Shady Hill Francis Weed lived in was a never-ending social ladder, but at the heart of his life was a woman who was defined by it.
             Adding to this Francis is a father. A role not extensively described in the story, but otherwise duly noted. His four children Toby, Henry, Louisa, and Helen are absorbed in their own circumstances as well. Francis's lack of positive support from his children disturbs him as well. While it doesn't rest on his mind for very long it does add to the accumulating stress he endures. For the most part, Francis seems to be a good ...